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The CHL implemented an off-season ban on drafting ’tenders from overseas.

And WHL Red Deer Rebels goalie Patrik Bartosak is the one to blame.

He has stopped too many pucks.

Bartosak won’t shoulder the blame all on his own, though.

“I’m not saying it’s because of me,” Bartosak said.

“There’s lots of other European goalies in the league.

“If you look around our league, there are goalies in Medicine Hat and Swift Current and they’re really good.

“So maybe I’m part of the reason.

“But I think there’s lots of other good goalies, too.”

Bartosak was referring to Tigers ’tender Marek Langhamer, from the Czech Republic, and Broncos star Eetu Laurikainen, from Finland.

There’s also Patrik Polivka, another Czech starter, tending the twine for the Victoria Royals.

But this season is the end of the line for them.

Hockey Canada put pressure on the CHL to do away with import goaltenders after Canadian goaltenders have struggled at the world junior tournament the last few years.

Goaltending is also perceived to be this country’s biggest weakness as Team Canada prepares to defend its Olympic gold medal in Sochi a few months from now.

But barring European goaltenders from the CHL may not be the answer.

Rebels boss Brent Sutter says the focus should be on helping young goaltenders before they reach junior hockey.

“It was strongly proposed to us by Hockey Canada,” Sutter said.

“And being a partner with Hockey Canada, it was a unanimous decision to move forward with it — not at the team level but at the commissioner’s level.

“I understand there’s a concern that maybe we don’t have the level of Canadian goalies that we’d like at the CHL level, but that’s not the issue.

“The issue is the development leading up to the CHL level.

“There’s a reason why CHL teams have gone to European goalies.

“Because the quality of goaltending has dropped off in our country in terms of the quantity that there used to be.”

Bartosak has been fantastic for the Rebels and was named CHL goaltender of the year last season after going 33-14-5 with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage.

The Los Angeles Kings prospect has left shooters across the WHL shaking their heads night after night.

“There’s no question the quality was certainly upgraded across the board with the European goalies,” Sutter said.

“This is the top level of amateur hockey that we have. And the players have to be at this level.

“The next level is pro hockey.

“Players from this level move onto the professional ranks, but they have to be good enough to play at this level.

“What is the development going to be like leading up to the CHL? I guess we have to wait and see how it unfolds.

“You have to look at it two, three, four years down the road and see if it has been impactful or not.”

Bartosak says he is fortunate to get the chance to play in the WHL before the import ban comes into effect.

“I got the chance to come over here and play,” Bartosak said. “And I got the chance to be drafted and live my dream. I think the rule about European goalies is not very smart, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here.”